Can I still use this old Barber's strop?

I have always liked the look of these, and picked one up on eBay. The leather seems to be in nice condition, though it is a bit curved on one side (it sort of arches up in the middle, so I have put a CD case between the wood and the leather, with heavy books on either side to straighten it out).

I don't know if this was ever used with pastes, but it doesn't look like it, and the leather still seems smooth.

Basically my 2 main issues are: How (if at all) can I clean the leather, just to get rid of any grime there may be; The leather is not very taught (please see picture), can I still use it, or does it have too much 'give' to maintain a straight?

http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/3...0577yp0.th.jpg
http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/9...0580ly9.th.jpg
http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/8...0576hm7.th.jpg

i have a similar strop, one sided, and antique. and i also wonder about the slack.. I love the style though, and I think about making more of that style. i think the answer is work with a light touch in short quick swipes.

:DHiya Pat, welcome to SRP from The South (Swansea)
You could try getting some foam of the right thickness and sliding that in the gap(cut it so it's tidy!)
I might try and get one of those contraptions too:D
Cheers Marcus